Physical Geography

Lower-Division Courses

1503. Physical Geography. An introductory analysis of selected elements of the natural habitat and their geographic distribution. 3 s.h.

*2630. Weather and *2630H. Honors Weather. An examination of basic weather elements, their interrelationships and the natural laws that govern them. Focus is on both global scale atmospheric processes and localized factors that influence weather conditions and patterns. 3 s.h.

2630L. Weather Lab. Observation, collection, and analysis of atmospheric data, and determination and prediction of weather conditions. Atmospheric laws and meteorological principles, concepts, and processes are investigated using the scientific method. Two hours of laboratory per week. Optional lab to accompany GEOG 2630: Weather. Prereq.: GEOG 2630 or concurrent enrollment in GEOG 2630. 1 s.h.

Upper-Division Courses

3703. Human Impacts on the Environment. Focus is on the interaction between natural systems and human activities that results in environmental change and degradation of the Earth's atmosphere, waters, soil, vegetation, and animal life. Societal conflicts, mitigation, conservation, and sustainable resource strategies are discussed. Prereq.: GEOG 1503 or GEOL 1504 or 1505. 3 s.h.

3705. Mountain Geography. Investigates the physical, biological, and cultural processes that take place in selected mountain environments. Topics alsoinclude resource use, environmental change, and sustainable development at both regional and global scales. Prereq.: BIOL 1505 or ENST 1500 or ENST 2600 or GEOG 1503 or GEOL 1504 or GEOL 1505. 3 s.h.

3730. Global Climates. An examination of the earth’s climates and the processes and controls responsible for their occurrence, distribution and change. Prereq.: GEOG 2630. 3 s.h.

3733. Severe and Hazardous Weather. Focus is on severe weather that may threaten harm to life and/or property. The scientific underpinning of severe weather types and their geographic distributions, hazards, and mitigation measures. Topics include extratropical cyclones; thunderstorms; lightning; tornadoes; hurricanes; floods; droughts; cold and heat waves; blizzards; snow, ice and wind storms; and El Niño/La Niña. Prereq.: GEOG 1503 or 2630. 3 s.h.

3735. Water in the Earth System. Focus is on the cycling of water within the Earth system. Covers the unique properties of water, the global water cycle, the distribution of water within the various reservoirs of the hydrosphere, the role of water in energy transfer and systems interactions, and human impacts on water resources. Prereq.: GEOG 1503 or 2630; or GEOL 1504 or 1505 or 2602; or ENST 2600. 3 s.h.

*3737. Soils and Land Use. Examination of soil characteristics influencing land use planning and development. Topics include the basic physical and chemical properties of soil, soil water, the soil-forming factors, the use and interpretation of county soil reports, and soil characteristics beneficial and detrimental to selected land use practices. Participation in field trips is required. Prereq.: GEOG 1503 or GEOL 1505; high school chemistry is recommended. 3 s.h.

5802. Biogeography. The distribution and scale of flora and fauna and the factors and processes that produce these patterns. Topics also include disturbance events, dispersal, colonization and invasion, and biological hierarchy. Prereq.: BIOL 1505 or BIOL 2602 or GEOG 1503. 3 s.h.

Geographic Skills and Techniques

Lower-Division Courses

*2610. Map Use and Interpretation. The use of maps, aerial photography, and satellite imagery to depict physical and cultural landscapes. Topics include map elements and how to locate, read, and interpret maps and remotely-sensed imagery. 3 s.h.

2611. Geo-spatial Foundations. An overview of geo-spatial science and technology, including introductory concepts in spatial analysis, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, and GPS. The class provides a survey of theoretical Geo-Spatial topics and their applications in a computer lab setting. 3 s.h. 

Upper-Division Courses

3712. Thematic Map Design and Symbolization. An introduction to cartographic design. Emphasis is on composition elements and the construction and perception of point, line, and area map symbols. The use of color, statistical techniques, and animated maps are also explored. Prereq.: GEOG 2610, 2626, or 2640.

*4813. Field Methods. Practical experiences in geographic data collection. Emphasis on applying the techniques of observation, sampling, interviewing and mapping to both physical and human phenomena having geographical dimensions. Students apply these techniques at several scales: the local campus, the Youngstown-Warren SMSA, a larger metropolitan region, and other nearby regions. Participation in field trips is mandatory. Prereq.: Junior standing, 6 s.h. of geography and permission of chairperson. 3 s.h.

4825. Geography Internship. Practical application of geographic principles and skills in the public or private workplace. A minimum of 40 clock hours per credit hour per semester is required in the work setting. An activities log must be maintained and oral and written reports of the internship experience are required. May be repeated for up to 6 s.h. Prereq.: 3 s.h. upper-division geography. By permit only. 1-3 s.h.

5805. Remote Sensing I. Analysis and interpretation of earth features from both airborne and satellite observation platforms. Themes include photogrammetry, digital data manipulation, multispectral imagery, and interpretation of environmental features. Not available to students who have taken GEOG 3710. Prereq.: GEOG 2610 and Junior standing. 3 s.h.

5806. Remote Sensing II. A continuation of Remote Sensing I; focusing on advanced theory of image classification, image processing and enhancement, and spatial analytical methods. Prereq.: GEOG 4805. 3 s.h.

5810. Geographic Information Science I. Introduction to the principles of collection, storage, manipulation, retrieval, analysis and visualization of spatial data in a computer environment. Not available to students who have taken GEOG 3732. Prereq.: GEOG 2610 and Junior standing. 3 s.h.

5811. Geographic Information Science II. A continuation of GIScience I focusing on theory and application of advanced techniques in spatial data handling, modeling, and spatial analysis. Not available to students who have taken GEOG 3765. Prereq.: GEOG 4810. 3 s.h.

5812. Global Positioning Systems and GIScience. Background, application and theory of satellite positioning technology. Incorporates GPS field data collection and subsequent integration with GIS analysis tools. Prereq.: GEOG 5810. 3 s.h.

5814. 3D Modeling and GIS. 3D modeling and visualization techniques using GIS (Geographic Information Science) and geospatial technology. Topics include 3D surfaces, animation, design, and rendering of spatial data. Prereq.: GEOG 5810. 3 s.h.

Human & Regional Geography

Lower-Division Courses

2626. World Geography and 2626H Honors World Geography. A comparative study of representative regions of the world. Attention is focused on an examination of the physical, cultural, social and political attributes of selected regions. 3 s.h.

2640. Human Geography and 2640H Honors Human Geography. An examination of the place to place variation in people’s utilization of the earth. Topics include the distribution of people, spatial variations in culture, urbanization and politization of space. 3 s.h.

2650. Global Economic Landscapes. Geographic patterns of economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, retailing and services, and regional patterns and issues in the emerging global economy. 3 s.h.

Upper-Division Courses

3713. Geography of South America. Spatial patterns found in the physical and cultural landscapes of South America. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. Not available to students with credit for same course taken as GEOG 3750. 3 s.h.

3715. Geography of Middle America. Spatial patterns found in the physical and cultural landscapes of Middle America (Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean). Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. 3 s.h.

3717. Geography of Europe. Spatial patterns found in the physical and cultural landscapes of Europe. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. Not available to students with credit for 750E. 3 s.h.

3719. Geography of the United States. Spatial patterns found in the physical and cultural landscapes of the United States. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. Not available to students with credit for 750Y. 3.s.h.

3721. Geography of Ohio. Spatial patterns found in the physical and cultural landscapes of Ohio. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. Not available to students with credit for 750O. 3 s.h.

3722. Historical Geography of the United States. Spatial patterns in the United States over time. Topics include discovery and exploration, regional variation in settlement, ethnicity and material culture, and the role of transportation in the American landscape. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. 3 s.h.

3724. Themes in Cultural Geography. A seminar focusing on cultural traditions in geography in the United States. Primary focus is on scholars, traditions, theory, and methodology of cultural geography as published in the professional literature. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640 or ANTH 1500 or SOC 1500. 3 s.h.

3726. Urban Geography. A study of the changing spatial patterns associated with the rise of urbanization, comparative urban developments and cities as a part of the urban system. Prereq.: GEOG 2640. 3 s.h.

*3740. Business Geographics. The application of geographic concepts and techniques to business problems, with emphasis on the use of geographic data, locational decision-making and the analysis of markets. Prereq.: GEOG 2640 or 2650. 3 s.h.

3741. Transportation Geography. Spatial properties of interregional and intraurban transportation. Topics include network development, movement patterns of people and commodities and the impact of transportation on other activities. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640 or 2650. 3 s.h.

3745. The Automobile in American Culture. The impact of the automobile on the economic, cultural and environmental landscapes of the United States from a geographic standpoint. Prereq.: GEOG 2640. 3 s.h.

3750. Topics in Regional Geography. Application of the regional method to selected areas of the world. Topic is announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated three times for credit if content is not repeated. Maximum credit 9 s.h. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. 3 s.h.

3755. Tourism Geography. Geographic analysis of leisure travel and the travel industry including patterns of travel, impacts of tourism and marketing of tourism sites. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640. 3 s.h.

3780. Medical Geography. A geographical and epidemiological approach to disease study. Examines the diffusion and distribution of illnesses and the social and environmental factors contributing to their occurrence. Global disease trends, health care issues and development are explored and compared. Prereq.: GEOG 2626 or 2640 or ANTH 1500 or BIOL 2602 or SOC 1500. 3 s.h.

Capstone

4890. Geography Capstone. Investigation of research topics, methods and issues in modern geography. Students select a geographic research topic, collect and analyze data using appropriate geographic methods and present the results of their research in oral and written form. Prereq.: Senior standing in Geography. 3 s.h.

Variable Topics

4840. Seminar in Geography. Selected aspects of geography not covered in existing courses. Topic to be announced each time the course is offered. May be taken up to two times for credit if topic is not repeated. Prereq.: 9 s.h. of geography. 3 s.h.

5820. Directed Research in Geography. An in-depth study of a specific problem in geography. The problem is dependent upon the student’s interest and competence, availability of faculty supervision and department equipment. Maximum credit 3 s.h. Prereq.: 20 s.h. of Geography. 1-3 s.h.

5850. International Area Study. A course in the geography and history of a selected international area with emphasis on cultural development by traveling in the selected region. The class and travel is supervised by the geography and/or history faculty. The course grade is based upon a term paper which must be submitted within 60 days after the end of the course. Prereq.: permission of the chairperson. 3 s.h.